Do non-Christians go to Hell?

Searching_for_God said:

Just curious, what are your thoughts on non-Christians and the afterlife? Do you personally believe that all non-Christians are going to Hell, and if so then why?

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Hello there. I know of several 'Non Christians' that the bible says categorically are in heaven- Abraham, Moses, Elijah.

The followers of the way were first called 'Christians' in Antioch according to the book of Acts. As far as I know 'Christian' is not a term designed by God or an apostle.

What do you mean by 'non-Christian'? What do you mean by 'Christian'? What makes someone a 'Christian'? Is it church membership? Infant Baptism? A spiritual experience?

Jesus said that to enter the Kingdom of God a man needed to be born again. Jesus said that he was the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by him. It would be interesting to explore the meaning of these passages.

God Bless

lismore said:

Hello there. I know of several 'Non Christians' that the bible says categorically are in heaven- Abraham, Moses, Elijah.

The followers of the way were first called 'Christians' in Antioch according to the book of Acts. As far as I know 'Christian' is not a term designed by God or an apostle.

What do you mean by 'non-Christian'? What do you mean by 'Christian'? What makes someone a 'Christian'? Is it church membership? Infant Baptism? A spiritual experience?

Jesus said that to enter the Kingdom of God a man needed to be born again. Jesus said that he was the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by him. It would be interesting to explore the meaning of these passages.

God Bless

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I believe you missed the context of her Question.
She is speaking about other religions.
She is a former Muslim who has converted to Christianity.
She most likely is concerned about her family,that we are praying for as well.

In her former religion Abraham was the father of the Muslims as well.
Sometimes discernment is needed to know what it's all about.
I suggest a trip to the prayer wall to read about her life, and join others in Prayer for her.

God Bless

now faith said:

I believe you missed the context of her Question.
She is speaking about other religions.

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No, citing Abraham and others in the OT is relevant. They are examples of non-Christians who we know are saved.

hedrick said:

No, citing Abraham and others in the OT is relevant. They are examples of non-Christians who we know are saved.

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Yes I agree on the terminology, I based my answer due to the OP.
She came out of the Muslim religion.
So Her question was intended to learn about other religions.

From my understanding of the original translations of the words and phrases used to refer to Hell...it depends. I believe all sinful people will be sent to hell or a place like it as a punishment for their sins, but it is not an eternal place.

Starcomet said:

From my understanding of the original translations of the words and phrases used to refer to Hell...it depends. I believe all sinful people will be sent to hell or a place like it as a punishment for their sins, but it is not an eternal place.

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Hell it's self is not eternal.

Revelation 20: 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

There are different theories on if the lake of fire is eternal.
The Seventh Day Adventist have a teaching on this ,it may be useful to seek what they have to say.

now faith said:

Hell it's self is not eternal.

Revelation 20: 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

There are different theories on if the lake of fire is eternal.
The Seventh Day Adventist have a teaching on this ,it may be useful to seek what they have to say.

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Well I believe the lake of fire will be extinguished in the end when an individual has served their time and will be reconciled with God.

Starcomet said:

Well I believe the lake of fire will be extinguished in the end when an individual has served their time and will be reconciled with God.

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Once you have gone to Hell, you will suffer eternal seperation from God.

What some believe is that your being will cease to exist , after the White Throne Judgment.
Your Spirit and Soul will be cast into the Lake of fire.
I should say a sinners not yours, it is a topic I Would never want to know about through experience.

I believe they will be separated for a very very long time, but not for an eternity.

Starcomet said:

I believe they will be separated for a very very long time, but not for an eternity.

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May I ask how you have formed your belief?

now faith said:

May I ask how you have formed your belief?

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Largely from understanding the ancient Greek and Hebrew concept of eternity and time. The idea we have of infinity is different their what they thought when they used words to describe the duration of slavery in Exodus, Jonah's stay in the whale's belly, and references to hell.

Starcomet said:

Largely from understanding the ancient Greek and Hebrew concept of eternity and time. The idea we have of infinity is different their what they thought when they used words to describe the duration of slavery in Exodus, Jonah's stay in the whale's belly, and references to hell.

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To apply a figurative definition, to eternal you need a qualifier that is proprietary to the Text.

To assume the quantive nature of time is based on interpretation,
You must include God.
God is omnipresent and exists outside of time, because he created it.
As well you would have to limit the Christians life and consider our Spirits mortal.
We are considered eternal beings with Christ gift of everlasting life.
If I were to concide any point it would be, those in Christ have eternal life, and those who die in sin cease to exist after they are cast in the lake of fire.

But I have to abide in God's Word,so there can be no place for my presumption.

hedrick said:

No, citing Abraham and others in the OT is relevant. They are examples of non-Christians who we know are saved.

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John 8:56 comes to mind, though. It implies that Abraham knew Jesus. If not as an historical person, then as a divine person.

FireDragon76 said:

John 8:56 comes to mind, though. It implies that Abraham knew Jesus. If not as an historical person, then as a divine person.

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Negotiating the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah ,shows us Abraham met Christ.

Genesis 18: 22. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 23. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

Old Testament people knew Jesus as God.
Those who obeyed God had Salvation.
Those who sinned asked to be forgiven just like Christians today.
King David was chosen by God to be King ,He sinned , repented and suffered the outcome.

Starcomet said:

Largely from understanding the ancient Greek and Hebrew concept of eternity and time. The idea we have of infinity is different their what they thought when they used words to describe the duration of slavery in Exodus, Jonah's stay in the whale's belly, and references to hell.

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This.

We must not forget the audience in whom the author of said scripture was speaking or referring too. In western Christianity, our concept of time and eternity is a Greek or Hellenistic concept of time. ie. time is linear, and eternity is forever. To the Hebrew/ancient Jews, eternity as we know isn't understood as such. For Jonah, he was in Sheol "forever" - but it was actually three days. In fact, eternity for them could be described as just beyond the horizon.

This goes the same for a non-biblical word for "hell" to represent Sheol in the Hebrew, Hades in the Greek, and even "Gehenna". To the Jews that Jesus was speaking to, these concepts were not understood as the hell as most evangelical western Christians understand it. In fact, when Jesus taught the "kingdom of heaven is like", or the "kingdom of God" is like, it wasn't understood as this far off place somewhere in the afterlife.

Searching_for_God said:

Just curious, what are your thoughts on non-Christians and the afterlife? Do you personally believe that all non-Christians are going to Hell, and if so then why?

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It's a complex question with no obvious answer. ("Gods ways are not our ways, Gods thoughts are not like our thoughts"), so it can't be properly understood. To me it feels like a matter of definition, and I guess you classify it as something "unjust" and being a paradox when faced with a good and just God, and using this as an argument for disbelief?

PollyJetix said:

Depends on your definition of non-Christian.
There is no way to God except through Jesus. That's the crux of christianity.
If there is another way, the torturous death He went through was completely unnecessary. In fact, if it was unnecessary, then the Father would have been evil, to give His Son to die such a death.

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That depends on your definition of Jesus. If you mean the baby in the manger, then the three wise men were the among the first to have the opportunity to know Jesus and before that, tough luck.

Searching_for_God said:

Just curious, what are your thoughts on non-Christians and the afterlife? Do you personally believe that all non-Christians are going to Hell, and if so then why?

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Any person who does not consider the Holy Spirit to be Satan
has the opportunity to be forgiven by God for our imperfections.

This is independent of any written words on the subject of God.

SkyWriting said:

If you mean the baby in the manger, then the three wise men were the among the first to have the opportunity to know Jesus

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The Wise Men were NOT at the manger -- they found toddler Jesus later in a HOUSE

and the Bible never said there were THREE WISE MEN; an unspecified number of Magi brought 3 kinds of GIFTS

Manger scenes with 3 wise men in them are way wrong.

The shepherds were among the first to have the opportunity to know Jesus.

Anto9us said:

The Wise Men were NOT at the manger -- they found toddler Jesus later in a HOUSE

and the Bible never said there were THREE WISE MEN; an unspecified number of Magi brought 3 kinds of GIFTS

Manger scenes with 3 wise men in them are way wrong.

The shepherds were among the first to have the opportunity to know Jesus.

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Ah, you are correct. The shepherds were among the first people
qualified to get into heaven then. Before that everyone was out
of luck.